Bey struggles to get back on its feet

Bey villagers rummage through the debris in hopes of salvaging something. A cluster of five houses lie buried under this rubble. Bey has been emptied and its residents camped at a relief camp or with relatives. The villagers have decided to relocate the village to safer location and men at the relief camp brave active slides to visit their homes every couple of days. The survivors are safe and provided for at present, but are yet to get over the trauma of the 18 September Earthquake which claimed seven lives in their village.

WANGCHUK BHUTIAMANGAN, 20 Oct: Bey, falling under Sakyong-Pentong GPU in Upper Dzongu, is one of the worst affected villages of the 18 September Earthquake. The tremors threw down a massive landslide into the village on that Sunday evening, burying a cluster of five houses and killing seven people.

DC convenes coordination meeting, takes stock of restoration and rehabilitation works

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: A coordination meeting of all the district officials of the Line Departments was chaired today by the DC, East. The meeting was convened to review the restoration works of public infrastructure in the district and also to assess the status and progress of the restoration works of public utilities like power, drinking water, road connectivity, telecommunication, minor irrigation channels, health etc. in the district.

No intimation to State Govt yet on MHA committee for HEPs in West Sikkim

OFFICIALS POINT OUT THAT POWER DEVELOPMENT BEING A STATE SUBJECT, FINAL CALL WILL REST WITH STATE GOVT
GANGTOK, 20 Oct: While news-reports coming out of New Delhi, as well as the SIBLAC, suggest that the Central government has instituted a high powered committee to look into religious and cultural concerns raised by SIBLAC and NASBO over the development of three hydel projects in West Sikkim, the State government claims that it is unaware of any such move by the centre. What is more, officials point out that hydel power development being a State matter, the role and jurisdiction of a committee instituted by the Centre was also not very clear.

Grateful father thanks CM for support which helped save his daughter’s life

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: A resident of Sang Khola, Singtam, Shyam Kumar Sunar, has extended his deepest gratitude towards Chief Minister Pawan Chamling for his “noble attention” towards the treatment of his daughter, Sharmila Sunar, who was seriously injured in an accident earlier this year on 24 March.

What’s With the Roads...

Editorial:
The highways are the modern world’s great rivers. Just as most ancient civilisations came up on the banks of major rivers and their tributaries, so too in the present times does every developmental initiative demand the presence of good roads and townships find their prosperity dependent on the quality of roads passing through it.

Govt gets serious about taking Mines & Geology Deptt advice seriously

CM DIRECTS SECY TO STRENGTHEN DEPARTMENTAL EXPERTISE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Recognising the important role such a department will play in the post-Earthquake rebuilding efforts in the State, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has instructed the as the Mines & Geology Department officials to strengthen and improve the department. With Sikkim sitting in an earthquake prone zone, technical and expert studies, opinions and suggestions on how to go about construction and development projects in the State is vital for future safety and security of structures as well as for the public.

Fugitives from Arunachal nabbed in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: The Sadar police today apprehended three persons charged under the Arms Act for an offence committed in Arunachal Pradesh. On information received from the Ziro police station, Arunachal Pradesh, that the trio had possibly decamped to Gangtok, the Sadar police conducted a combing operation of all the hotels in the capital. The three were found holed up in a hotel at Kazi Road where they had checked in yesterday.

Teen booked under SADA

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: A 19-year-old was arrested by Sadar Police in possession of contraband substances here at Deorali yesterday.
The police, it is learnt, received credible ‘source information’ that the accused was peddling substances of abuse and when he was picked up, a search revealed him to be in possession of 37 capsules of Spasmo Proxyvon.

Sikkim Milk Union posts profits for fourth consecutive year

NAMCHI, 20 Oct: The 15th Annual General Meeting of Sikkim Milk Union was held today at the Tourism Guest House, Karfectar, Jorethang. The meeting was presided over by Chairman, MB Rai , and attended by the Milk Union officials and the Cooperative Societies from East, West and South Districts.

Teen commits suicide

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: A teenager was found having committed suicide by hanging near his home at Reshi yesterday.
The 19-year-old, it is informed, had gone missing on 15 October when he absconded from home after an allegedly drunken tiff with his father. The father eventually filed a police complaint against his son and did eventually return home yesterday. It was then that he learned of the general diary filed against him and left home shortly after. As per police records, he said he was going over to a friend’s house, but ended up committing suicide barely 100 feet away from his home.

SIBLAC welcomes appointment of ‘High Powered Committee’ on the Rathong Chu HEPs

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Representatives from several constituent units and members of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) met today to discuss the Union Home Ministry’s decision to appoint a “high powered committee” for making detailed assessment of ground reality issues raised by SIBLAC and NASBO on Hydro Power Projects being developed all across Sikkim with particular reference to three HEPs on Rathong Chu River in West Sikkim, informs a SIBLAC release.
As per media reports, the High Powered Committee is expected to examine the issues raised by SIBLAC & NASBO to protect the “overall religious, cultural diversity of the region.”

“Yes, we do live with risks”

Ranjana Kumari“Yes, we do live in risks”. This is what the people of Shipgyer and Pegong villages of North Sikkim admitted during a survey conducted by Sikkim University. Both the villages lie on the right bank of the river Teesta where the maximum number of landslides (mostly earthquake induced) can be noticed.

NASBO calls on Sakya Trizin to take up Rathong Chu issue with Govt

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation [NASBO], in a letter addressed to the Sakya Trizin, has requested the spiritual leader to “kindly enlighten the Sikkim Government to immediately scrap all the three proposed hydel projects on the sacred Rathongchu in West Sikkim”, informs a press release issued by the Organisation today .

Remanti and Robin through to finals of NE Ke Superstar

DUO CAMPAIGN FOR VOTES TO BAG THE TITLE
GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Remanti Rai and Robin Mukhia, finalists in their respective disciplines in the “North East Ke Super Star” being telecast on DD NE Channel, were in Gangtok today and appealed for support by way of popular votes from the people here to win the title.

SHIEP Society draws 4th round raffle

MANGAN, 20 OCT:  The Sikkim Himalayan Integrated Environment Protection Society [SHIEP] conducted the 4th round raffle draw in the presence of SHIEP Society staff at the Mangan Nagar Panchayat office here at Pentok today.

4th ‘Eastern Panorama Fellowship

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Eastern Panorama, the first English news magazine of North East India, has announced the fourth ‘Eastern Panorama Fellowship’, an annual programme which gives students a platform to write on issues relating to the North East, informs a press release.

CM and Sakya Trizin unveil Ngor Gumpa’s progression into Faculty of Higher Buddhist Studies

Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre celebrates golden jubilee
SAKYA TRIZIN COMMENDS CM’S ‘OUTSTANDING WORK’ IN PROMOTING SIKKIM’S SACRED CHARACTER
GANGTOK, 19 Oct: The golden jubilee celebration of the Sa-Ngor Chotshog Centre [SNCC] here was held with prayers and blessings at the SNCC complex today with the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, present as the chief guest. The supreme head of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya Trizin, is also in Sikkim to lead the celebrations. The centre was opened in 1961.

Savari tumbles off road near Rato-matey, 4 injured

GANGTOK, 19 Oct: The Jorethang Police Station received a telephonic information from BB Rai of Majitar Out Post at around 11.15 p.m. that a vehicle had met with an accident near Ratomatey, along the Jorethang-Melli Road on 17 October.

North District administration inspects Dikchu

MANGAN, 19 Oct:  A joint inspection was conducted today of Dikchu New Market, North Sikkim by a team headed by SDM Mangan, BK Lama, NHPC representatives headed by Sr Manager [Dam], Rajappan K, and the affected people of New Market and Pheedang, Lower Dzongu, North Sikkim.

Industries Minister inspects earthquake damages at govt undertakings

GANGTOK, 19 Oct [IPR]: Minister for Commerce & Industries, Neeru Sewa, visited various government industries and district industries centers yesterday and inspected the damages caused by the 18 September earthquake. The Minister was accompanied by Secretary Industries, KN Bhutia, and other officials from the Industries Department.

SFA condoles passing away of Tempo Rapgyal

GANGTOK, 19 Oct: Sikkim Football Association, at a meeting held today, condoled the demise of Tempo Rapgyal Khangsarpa at Namchi at around 7.30 PM on Tuesday. He was 86. The meeting observed a two minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

Tadong school runs double shifts to ensure classes continue unaffected by earthquake damage

GANGTOK, 19 Oct: Tadong Senior Secondary school is running double shifts to ensure all classes are conducted without any break.

Three Ladies, One Award

Editorial:
On 07 October, as Sikkim was just emerging from the horror of the 18 September Earthquake and midway into a subdued Dasain celebration, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 will be divided in three equal parts between Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.

Horticulture Inputs and Cash Incentives distributed in Namchi

NAMCHI, 19 Oct: The distribution of Horticulture Inputs and Cash Incentives under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States to the farmers of South Sikkim was held today at Zilla Panchayat Bhawan, Namchi.

PNGS resolves to tide over earthquake setback

GANGTOK, 19 Oct: Schools across the state have suffered damage due to the 18 Sept earthquake and the Paljor Namgyal Girls Senior Secondary School in the capital was not spared either. The Science block and Principal’s quarters have sustained major damages and have since been vacated.

Update: Supply of essential commodities to earthquake affected areas

GANGTOK, 19 Oct: Since the earthquake, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has provided 1549.62 quintals of rice, 154.97 quintals of dal, 21.5 quintals of atta, 22.91 quintals of salt, 53.01 quintals of mustard oil and 2040 quintals of SK Oil to the North District.

“I write about eating oranges on the rooftops in Gangtok more than anything else”

PRAJWAL PARAJULY IN CONVERSATION WITH NOW!

Intro: Prajwal Parajuly has become the youngest Indian to sign an international book deal. An alumnus of Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok, he agreed to an interview with NOW! on his writing and his inspirations...

Celebrate and Nurture Excellence

Editorial:
The Gangtok lad featured extensively in today’s edition is devoted such elaborate coverage to underline his remarkable feat in pursuing his passion to a fairy-tale debut. In an environment of ingrained despondency and cynicism, Prajwal’s commitment and optimism become necessary traits to bolster among the youth.

International publisher signs Sikkim writer for two book deal

PRAJWAL PARAJULY BECOMES YOUNGEST  INDIAN TO SIGN AN INTERNATIONAL, MULTI-COUNTRY BOOK DEALGANGTOK, 18 Oct: Two books by Prajwal Parajuly have been acquired by Quercus, marking the publishing debut of the 26 year old alumnus of Gangtok’s Tashi Namgyal Academy and making him the youngest writer with the publisher. Quercus, a London-based publishing house, it may be mentioned here, was named the “Publisher of the Year” at the 2011 Bookseller Awards in London.

A Youth’s Publishing Success Story

By HIMAPALI DESAIIt began with the April volcanic ashes from Iceland. Prajwal Parajuly, then a person unsure of what he wanted out of life, found himself on a flight from Denver, USA, to London a few days before the ashes would wreak havoc on air travel.

The earthquake and after, an update

GANGTOK, 18 Oct [IPR]: The earthquake which hit the State on 18 September has severely damaged the infrastructures of the state.

Vehicle runs over four at Convoy Ground

GANGTOK, 18 Oct: Four persons were injured today at Convoy Ground, Tadong, when a vehicle bearing registration No MH.-04BQ- 6719 ploughed out of control into them.

South tremor of Monday evening measured at 3.5

GANGTOK, 18 Oct: The tremor of Monday evening which was felt with severe intensity in parts of South and West Sikkim, causing some amount of panic in Ravangla, has been detected as having had its epicenter in the vicinity of Damthang above Temi in South Sikkim. As per details posted on the Meteorological Centre of India, this was a mild earthquake of 3.5 intensity and had struck exactly at 6:34 p.m. The epicenter coordinates of 27.3 degrees North [latitude] and 88.4 degree East [longitude] locates it in the vicinity of Damthang.

Culture awaits Central nod to begin Rs. 2.25 crore restoration of heritage buildings

GANGTOK, 18 Oct: The Department of Cultural Affairs & Heritage, Government of Sikkim, is awaiting the ‘go-ahead’ from the Centre to execute works related to the preservation of heritage buildings and monuments in the State damaged in the 18 September Earthquake. This exercise is estimated at a total proposed amount of Rs. 2.25 crore.

Appointment letters issued, off-roll employees at Dikchu HEP call off strike

MANGAN, 18 Oct:  The off-roll employees with Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd. who went on strike yesterday when the company could not fulfil their three pending demands, returned to work today after the company capitulated and gave in to all the pending demands. The three pending demands sought the issue of appointment letters, salary increment and insurance cover for the employees.